Friday, August 20th – 6:30PM – 7:30PM
Edwards Ambi Building Community Classroom
1055 Edwards Village Blvd.  (behind the Edwards Post Office)
Talk  with Q&A to follow
RSVP to Ben Gaylord 970.390.9299
Seating is limited.

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Retreat Dates: Saturday & Sunday August 21-22, 2010

Retreat Location:Miller Ranch Community Center
25 Mill Loft Rd.
Edwards, CO

DIRECTIONS: Exit I-70 number 163 into Edwards, RIGHT turn at bottom of off ramp if eastbound or LEFT if westbound, Shell Station will be on your left, take a LEFT at the light onto Miller Ranch Road, follow Miller Ranch Road approx. 1.3 miles, the Community Center will be on your RIGHT just after the ball fields. Stairs are on the south side of the building.

Accommodations: Free lodging with local sangha members can generally be arranged in advance by calling Ben at 970.390.9299.

Contact: Ben Gaylord 970.390.9299

Retreat Schedule:
Saturday: Registration at 9:30, Retreat from 10:30 – 3:30, Meditation until 6PM
Sunday: Registration at 9:30, Retreat from 10:30 – 12:30

Retreat Topic:

Compassion and its causes as presented in The Great Treatise On the Stages of the Path To Enlightenment, Vol. 1 by Tsong-Kha-Pa

Description:
This retreat by Ven. Tenzin will be based on The Lam Rim by Tsong-kha-pa, the great Tibetan Master.  He will discuss the causes of compassion, as well as ways to generate and practice sustained compassion that leads to personal happiness and well being. In these challenging times surrounded by insecurity and fear, we will learn practices that we can use in our everyday lives to make a difference with our families and  friends, and all sentient beings, as well as ourselves.

Volume 1 of The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment establishes that the central focus is the development of the spirit of enlightenment (Bodhicitta –compassion and wisdom) which is the heart of the Mahayana tradition.  The practices that are prerequisite for developing enlightenment are covered, making this indispensable reading for anyone who wishes to understand and practice Tibetan Buddhism.

“It expounds the entire path from the way one should rely on a spiritual teacher, which is the very root, right up to the attainment of Buddhahood, which is the final fruit.  The various stages are presented so clearly and systematically that they can be easily understood and are inspiring to put into practice.” –H.H. the Dalai Lama

This retreat is part of the Foundation of Buddhism series and is open to all.

A donation of $150/single or $250/couple is suggested

Retreat Location: 947 H St., Salida, Colorado

Driving Directions: Drive south on 285, turn left on 291. Follow it into town till coming to G st, then turn right. Follow G St to 10th then turn right again and go one block to 947 H St.

Accommodations: Free lodging with local sangha members can generally be arranged in advance by calling Mary at 719-239-1262.

Contact: Mary Gage 719-239-1262

Retreat Schedule:
Friday: Prayers and Pot Luck 6PM
Saturday: Registration at 9:30, Retreat from 10:00 – 5:00
Sunday: Registration at 9:30, Retreat from 10:00 – 3:00

Description:

This retreat by Ven. Tenzin will be based on Nagarjuna’s book titled PRECIOUS GARLAND. Nargarjuna, a famous Buddhist master and teacher, is renowned for his analysis of reality, and in PRECIOUS GARLAND he offers up ideas on how to live a life reflecting Buddhist principles. From improving one’s condition over the course of a lifetime to achieving spiritual and social satisfaction, this retreat will bring you more than spiritual philosophy. It offers up a formula applying Buddhist thinking and principles to everyday life and personal evolution.

Nagarjuna is renowned for his penetrating analysis of reality. In the Precious Garland, he offers intimate counsel on how to conduct one’s life and how to construct social policies that reflect Buddhist ideals. The advice for personal happiness is concerned first with improving one’s condition over the course of lifetimes and then with release from all kinds of suffering, culminating in Buddhahood. Nagarjuna describes the cause and effect sequences for the development of happiness within ordinary life as well as the practices of wisdom realizing emptiness and compassion that lead to enlightenment. He describes a Buddha’s qualities and offers encouraging advice on the effectiveness of practices that reveal the vast attributes of Buddhahood.

The Precious Garland includes a detailed analysis of attachment to sensual objects as a preparation for realization of the profound truth that, when realized, makes attachment impossible.

In the Precious Garland, Nagarjuna offers intimate counsel on how to conduct one’s life and construct social policy that reflects Buddhist ideals. The advice for personal happiness is concerned first with improving one’s condition over the course of lifetimes and then with release from all types of suffering, culminating in Buddhahood.

This retreat is part of the Foundation of Buddhism series and is open to all.

A donation of $150/single or $250/couple is suggested

Retreat Location: 307 Arthur’s Court, Fairplay, Colorado

Driving Directions: From Fairplay, take 9 south towards Hartsel. Go about 7 miles on 9 and take what is basically the first left on Redhill Rd.  Turn left into the first driveway (which is the first left), to the house.  As much as possible, people should car pool.

Mapquest Map

Accommodations: Limited space is available at the retreat house; bring bedding and eating utensils.

Contact: Steve Ring 303.679.0915

Retreat Schedule: Friday – Prayers and Aspirations 5-6 PM, and dinner
Saturday & Sunday- Registration starting at 8:30 AM, retreat start at 10 AM

Detailed schedule to be provided

Description:
Lam Rim (Tibetan: lam “path”, rim “stages”) is a Tibetan Buddhist textual form for presenting the complete path to enlightenment as taught by Gautama Buddha. In Tibetan Buddhist history, there have been many different versions of the Lam Rim, presented by different teachers. However all the versions of the Lam Rim are based on extensions of Atisha‘s 11th Century root text A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment.

Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi will provide a brief history of the Lam Rim starting with Atisha, and including Gampopa (Jewel Ornament of Liberation) and Tsongkhapa (The Great Treatise on the Stages on the Path of Enlightenment). He will also provide a detailed exploration of the Abhidharma, which in the West, is generally considered to be the core of what is referred to as Buddhist psychology.

Important concepts of the Lam Rim include the three kinds of motivation, karma, rebirth, Buddhist cosmology, the practice of meditation, up to and including tantra.

This retreat is part of the Foundation of Buddhism series and is open to all.

A donation of $400/single or $700/couple is suggested

A donation of $150/single or $250/couple is suggested for the weekend

Retreat Location: 947 H St., Salida, Colorado

Driving Directions: Drive south on 285, turn left on 291. Follow it into town till coming to G st, then turn right. Follow G St to 10th then turn right again and go one block to 947 H St.

Accommodations: Free lodging with local sangha members can generally be arranged in advance by calling Mary at 719-239-1262.

Contact: Mary Gage 719-239-1262

Retreat Schedule:
Saturday: Registration at 9:30, Retreat from 10:00 – 5:00
Sunday: Registration at 9:30, Retreat from 10:00 – 3:00

Description:

Lam Rim (Tibetan: lam “path”, rim “stages”) is a Tibetan Buddhist textual form for presenting the complete path to enlightenment as taught by Gautama Buddha. In Tibetan Buddhist history, there have been many different versions of the Lam Rim, presented by different teachers. However all the versions of the Lam Rim are based on extensions of Atisha’s 11th Century root text A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment.

Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi will provide a brief history of the Lam Rim starting with Atisha, and including Gampopa (Jewel Ornament of Liberation) and Tsongkhapa (The Great Treatise on the Stages on the Path of Enlightenment). He will also provide a detailed exploration of the Abhidharma, which in the West, is generally considered to be the core of what is referred to as Buddhist psychology.

Important concepts of the Lam Rim include the three kinds of motivation, karma, rebirth, Buddhist cosmology, the practice of meditation, up to and including tantra.

This retreat is part of the Foundation of Buddhism series and is open to all.

Retreat Location:
16417 CR 325
Buena Vista, Colorado

Driving Directions:

Directions from the corner of Main St. and Hwy. 24, the only traffic light in town:
Go west on Main St. (towards Cottonwood Pass) for 7 tenths of a mile. Turn left on CR 321 (Rodeo Rd.) and go 5.9 miles. Turn right on CR 325. At 9 tenths of a mile the road will make a 90° curve to the left. Turn into the 2nd driveway on the right. The sign will say “16417 Benvenuto”. Please park so as to not block the circular drive.

Accommodations: Free lodging with local sangha members can generally be arranged in advance by calling Michael at 888.550.1777.

Contact: Michael  at 888.550.1777

Retreat Schedule:
Saturday: Registration at 8:30, Retreat from 9:30 – 5:00
Sunday: Registration at 8:30, Retreat from 9:30 – 1:00

Description: This guided meditation retreat will use simple techniques of sustained observation to help transform our way of looking at and engaging the world. As the ancient practitioners have demonstrated, stepping away from the whirlwind of outer activity is necessary to increase the special kind of concentration which leads to calm and clarity. Let us take this opportunity to exert ourselves out of compassion for the suffering of ourselves and others; this meditation is the meritorious activity which will bring peace to our mind and success in the world.

A donation of $150/single or $250/couple is suggested

Retreat Location: 211 Howard Drive (in Singletree), Edwards, Colorado.

Driving Directions: Take Edwards Exit #163 and head north on Edwards Access Road. Turn right on Berry Creek Road. The road circles around to the east. Go through the 1st stop sign and take the 1st LEFT on Stagecoach Road. Then turn LEFT on Howard Drive; #211 is on the right.

Accommodations: Free lodging with local sangha members can generally be arranged in advance by calling Ben at 970.390.9299

Contact: Ben Gaylord 970.390.9299

Retreat Schedule:
Saturday: Registration at 9:30, Retreat from 10:00 – 5:00
Sunday: Registration at 9:30, Retreat from 10:00 – 3:00

Description:
Lam Rim (Tibetan: lam “path”, rim “stages”) is a Tibetan Buddhist textual form for presenting the complete path to enlightenment as taught by Gautama Buddha. In Tibetan Buddhist history, there have been many different versions of the Lam Rim, presented by different teachers. However all the versions of the Lam Rim are based on extensions of Atisha’s 11th Century root text A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment.

Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi will provide a brief history of the Lam Rim starting with Atisha, and including Gampopa (Jewel Ornament of Liberation) and Tsongkhapa (The Great Treatise on the Stages on the Path of Enlightenment). He will also provide a detailed exploration of the Abhidharma, which in the West, is generally considered to be the core of what is referred to as Buddhist psychology.

Important concepts of the Lam Rim include the three kinds of motivation, karma, rebirth, Buddhist cosmology, the practice of meditation, up to and including tantra.

This retreat is part of the Foundation of Buddhism series and is open to all.

A donation of $150/single or $250/couple is suggested

Retreat Location: 211 Howard Drive (in Singletree), Edwards, Colorado.

Driving Directions: Take Edwards Exit #163 and head north on Edwards Access Road.  Turn right on Berry Creek Road.  The road circles around to the east.  Go through the 1st stop sign and take the 1st LEFT on Stagecoach Road.  Then turn LEFT on Howard Drive; #211 is on the right.

Accommodations: Free lodging with local sangha members can generally be arranged in advance by calling Ben at 970.390.9299.

Contact: Ben Gaylord 970.390.9299

Retreat Schedule:
Saturday: Registration at 8:30, Retreat from 9:00 – 5:00
Sunday: Registration at 8:30, Retreat from 9:00 – 3:00

Description:
This is Part Two of a two-part retreat series introducing the Verses on the Middle Way by Nagarjuna. Nagarjuna is thought to have lived during the fourth century C.E. as a scholar and monk at Nalanda University.

Nagarjuna’s writings address the major philosophical issues of his time, including the nature of causality and conditionality, motion and action, the self, its suffering and bondage, nirvana, and the Buddha. Nagarjuna’s profound insights have been the subject of much debate, inviting interpretations that range from the purely metaphysical to the purely pragmatic.

Nagarjuna’s logic reveals that the way human beings think is by nature inconsistent and self-contradictory. The Verses demonstrate that deluded ways of thinking cannot be replaced with a correct understanding. Instead, the true nature of things only becomes apparent when we let go of our delusions. The ensuing peace and serenity cannot be grasped by human constructs, but it can be experienced.

Recommended Text: Verses on the Middle Way by Nagarjuna (various translations available)

A donation of $150/single or $250/couple is suggested

Retreat Location: 307 Arthur’s Court
Fairplay, Colorado

Driving Directions: From Fairplay, take 9 south towards Hartsel. Go about 7
miles on 9 and take what is basically the first left on Redhill Rd. Turn left into the first driveway (which is the first left), to the house. As much as possible, people should car pool.

MapQuest Map

Accommodations: Limited space is available at the retreat house; bring bedding and eating utensils.

Contact: Pati Martinez 970.688.1337

Retreat Schedule: Registration on Monday, at 8:30
Detailed schedule to be provided

Description:
The Wheel of Sharp Weapons is perhaps the earliest and most celebrated text in the genre of mind-training (Lojong). Written by the great Indian yogi Dharmarakshita, one of Atisha’s main teachers, it focuses on the giving and taking (tonglen) method for overcoming the self-cherishing attitude and grasping for an impossible “true me.”

Tonglen is an advanced Mahayana method whereby we imagine taking on the sufferings of others and giving them happiness. Mahayana training in perfect altruism is seen as the means to achieve lasting happiness and peace for oneself and others, and Dharmarakshita’s Wheel as the supreme means to cut through our true enemies – self-grasping and self-cherishing.

“Effectively striking the heart of the foe,” the Wheel of Sharp Weapons provides essential tools for transforming suffering into happiness. This weeklong retreat will consist of teachings and meditation.

Recommended Text: Wheel of Sharp Weapons.

Retreat Location: 307 Arthur’s Court, Fairplay, Colorado

Driving Directions: From Fairplay, take 9 south towards Hartsel. Go about 7
miles on 9 and take what is basically the first left on Redhill Rd. Turn left into the first driveway (which is the first left), to the house. As much as possible, people should car pool.

MapQuest Map

Accommodations: Limited space is available at the retreat house; bring bedding and eating utensils.

Contact: Pati Martinez 970.688.1337

Retreat Schedule:
Saturday: Registration at 8:30, Retreat from 9:00 – 5:00
Sunday: Registration at 8:30, Retreat from 9:00 – 3:00

Description:
The Lankavatara Sutra is one of the none major sutras of Mahayana Buddhism and was influential in the formation of several schools of Buddhism including the Nyingma and Cha’n or Zen to name a few.

Three important concepts issued from the Lanka: 1) the primacy of consciousness, or “Mind Only” (Yogacara School), 2) the concept of an inherent Buddha Nature (Tathagatagarbha Doctrine), and 3) the three bodies of Buddhahood (Trikaya).

Venerable Tenzin will summarize key points from Parts I and II of this retreat series, which focused on the and the Yogacara School and Tathagatagarbha Doctrine respectively. Venerable Tenzin will then introduce the three levels of enlightened reality exemplified by the three bodies of Buddahood.

Part III of this retreat series is open to anyone. Completion of Parts I and II are recommended, but not mandatory.

Recommended Text: The Lankavatara Sutra translated by D.T. Suzuki.

Saturday, November 14^th – Sunday, November 15^th

In this two-day retreat, Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi will present the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha had to find words to communicate his insight. As Thich Nhat Hanh put it, “He already had the water, but he had to discover jars like the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path to hold it.” These were the first teachings of the Buddha, and he continued teaching them throughout his long life, and right up until his passing.

These practical teachings are considered to be the foundation of Buddhist practice. This retreat is ideal for those considering the Path, but also beneficial for advanced practitioners.

Retreatants will gather at their local Sanghas and connect via the web with Venerable Tenzin who will be webcasting from MIT.